Police are appealing for information from the public following a break in at Littlecote House Hotel in which items from its Roman and flying collections were stolen and paintings damaged.

The break in occurred at the Warner hotel in Littlecote House on the afternoon of Tuesday August 25 between 4 and 6pm.

A police spokeswoman It was believed that two men entered the old building at the hotel and took several brooches from its Roman collection and a red Nazi armband from the Airborne Museum.

The offenders also defaced several paintings inside the Manor House using a red marker pen, causing thousands of pounds worth of damage and ruining an important local collection of historical artefacts and paintings which had been created for members of the public to enjoy, police said.

One man aged 25 years was later arrested in Newbury and released on bail pending further enquiries and a Roman brooch has been recovered.

DC Chris Hitchcock said: "I would like to appeal to anyone who was at the hotel during the time of the offence as they may have important information.

“I would also like to speak to anyone who has any information about the incident or the whereabouts of any of the missing items.”

Anyone with information is asked to please call DC Hitchcock at the divisional CID offices 0845 408 7000 or use the confidential Crimestoppers line 0800 555 111.